From the opening tones of the title track, a bouncy groove with a Crusaders vibe, Bolvin reveals himself as a warm-toned trumpeter who phrases candidly with soulful discretion. The San Francisco-based musician skillfully weaves melody and solo through 14 tracks, blending jazz and funk with a musical maturity seldom heard in today's over-saturated smooth jazz market.
Bolvin's original tunes are lyrical, groove-oriented vehicles for improvised flourishes from the leader and his first-rate cast of sidemen. Stand-out tracks include "Time Bomb," with Chris Cain's blistering guitar and Myron Dove's punchy electric bass, the Latin-inspired "Belita" and "One for Mike," a Yellowjackets-sounding piece with the deep-pocketed backbeat of famed drummer Dennis Chambers. The disc includes memorable versions of two lesser-known Stevie Wonder tunes ("Rocket Love" and "It Ain't No Use") and Donald Fagen's "Maxine." The latter features jazz-fusion legend Jeff Lorber on piano.
Workin' It is a solid funk affair with enough hip grooves and tasty licks to satisfy the more discriminating contemporary jazz listener.
